Enchantrix Theatre is preparing to do its version of the hit rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. We sit down with director Colin St. John and the long-haired man himself, Stephan Sams, to tell us about the production process. They found an empty warehouse in Castroville and turned it into a temporary theatre, which allows them plenty of space to put…

Several new and old council members were elected last November, and they are already busy trying to make their mark on the city. Their current target is the rent stabilization ordinance passed last year to help the over-burdened renters in Salinas. What is rent stabilization, and how does it work? Does it even work? Oz tries to answer those questio…

Uli grew up in Monterey County and is on a mission to find unique stories that will uplift and inspire others. He sits down with us to tell us his story of discovering his true self. That discovery was the seed that started his latest project idea.

The 13th Annual Watsonville Film Festival was held earlier this month, and for the first time in its history, it screened films outside of Watsonville. In Salinas, they presented some films at Maya Cinema in Oldtown, most of which quickly sold out of tickets. We set up our equipment at XL Publichouse to record some interviews at the after-party. We…

There was an update on the flailing effort to recall a city councilmember. That makes me wonder who is actually pushing for this and why a small group of companies is throwing a lot of money at it. Also, the Amazon warehouse on the edge of town is going up, and with it, some changes to the Salinas employment landscape.…

Salinas is fascinated with corporate chain businesses. It was recently announced that the city would soon have its 18th Starbucks, and looking at city planning documents, a 19th is already around the corner. With our local businesses struggling to stay open in this post-pandemic world, I question whether the city can be flexible and proactive enoug…

Andrew Sandoval is a council member who came on the podcast to talk about both a political process and what it's like to be the target of that process. We discussed what it could mean for him and the constituents of District 5 and who is behind the effort. This episode is a way to hear about parts of running a city that usually happens in the backg…

Over three days in June of 1967, Monterey was the center of the music world and hosted a festival that would introduce the country to some of the most legendary acts of all time. It also kicked off the "Summer of Love" that welcomed thousands of people from around the country to the Bay Area, who changed this country forever. Names like Paul McCart…

James Mena is a very creative and motivated content creator from Salinas. You have probably seen him on your Explore page. If you haven't, you will soon. He is also a co-host on the Stay Low Podcast, the sports show of Salad Bytes Media. This week, we turned the mic around on him and asked him about how he started his content creation journey and w…

The election has changed the makeup of the city council, with some new and old faces taking the lead in Salinas. They take over a city on the brink of a significant transformation. One of the largest Amazon warehouses in the world is going up on one edge of town. Across town on the Northside, houses are finally being built north of Boronda Rd. Also…

Cary Swensen is an educator who has ideas for making affordable housing more accessible to Salinas citizens. She plans to use her educational background and transparency to come up with unique solutions to problems for a city with a limited budget. She sits down with us to tell us those plans and what she has been hearing from the people of Distric…

In 2020, Anthony Rocha was new to city politics, but he was not inexperienced. He is back this year to tell us why he thinks he deserves another four years on the city council. He talks about the projects he is proud of and his plans for a second term. District 6 will soon be surrounded by thousands of new houses and has some of the busiest roads i…

In 2020, Orlando Osornio was new to the local political scene. Four years later, he is running for re-election of the same position. He sits down to discuss his plan for another four years on the council. He also talks about what he least expected when he was first elected and the problems he hears from his constituents in District 4.…

For several years, Artists Ink has been hosting a really cool event called "Artist Alley" during the monthly Art Walk in Oldtown Salinas. Long-time listeners of the show will also have heard some interviews we have done on location at the event itself. This event is much larger and is hosted at Sherwood Park. Dozens of local artists set up their wo…

This week, Sal is joined by digital artist and returning guest, EeveningArt, as well as the musician PvnDvlce (Pan Dulce) to talk about their experiences at San Jose's first ever GalaxyCon and review the ecchi workout anime "Plus-Sized Elf"! Get the Nakama Podcast delivered straight to you (0:00) Introducing EeveningArt and Pvnvlce! (1:26) Plus-Siz…

Tattoo artist Aarick Alexander, aka x3amGhostx from Sacred8Studios is headlining this week's episode! He and our regular host Sal talk tattoos, anime, anime tattoos, and share stories as well as cover the rom-coms "Pseudo Harem" and "2.5 Dimensional Seduction"! Get the podcast delivered straight to you! (0:00) Introducing x3amghostx! (15:12) Anime …

Nobody wants to talk about it, and everyone seems to have the wrong opinion, but election season is back in Salinas. Also, several new businesses are coming to the mall that will attract customers of all ages. How can Oldtown compete with the millions of dollars being poured into the mall?By Salad Bytes Media

On this bite-sized episode, Sal and Peralta discuss the then-current GalaxyCon as well as review "Days with My Stepsister" and "Atri: My Dear Moments" while dining at a local restaurant. For more from the Nakama Podcast, Visit us online Read our coverage and more on Substack! (0:00 Intro) (1:12) GalaxyCon San Jose Day One (4:52) Days with My Stepsi…

This week, Sal and Peralta talk furbies, stickers, TikTok, and the two anime for the week: "My Deer Friend Nokotan" and "No Longer Allowed in Another World"! Visit the Nakama Podcast Online! (0:00) Intro (4:00) Furbies! (6:05) Nakama Collects on TikTok! (14:05) New stickers! (21:42) My Deer Friend Nokotan REVIEW (33:18) No Longer Allowed in Another…

This week is officially our 100th episode! So today, hosts Sal, Peralta, and Cruz talk about some behind-the-scenes changes and together, the three review "Shoshimin: How to Become Ordinary" and "Senpai is an Otokonoko"! Visit the Nakama Podcast online! (0:00) Intro! (1:28) The 100th Episode!! (4:12) GalaxyCon SJ (7:00) AnimeNYC (14:35) Shoshimin R…

Sal Rodriguez and his cousin Gabriel Barboza are on a mission to change people's lives in a unique way. Listen to their story, which started out in the Salinas Valley and then led them all over the world, all while they gained new experiences. Enter Scalp micro pigmentation, and Gabriel saw a vision of his future. He became a certified SMP artist a…

This week, Sal is joined by Rachel Decker, Michelle Ramon, and Sam Davis, from the wonderful lolita fashion brand Belladonna to talk all about their brand - what it is, how it developed, and what's next for them. After, they share their reviews of "Bartender: Glass of God" and "Jellyfish Can't Swim in the Night!" Check out the latest in lolita fash…

Sal and returning guest/unofficial member of the podcast Houston talk over their experiences attending Fanime 2024 and hosting two panels: "To Be American in Anime" and "The Morbid World of Junji Ito"! Visit the Nakama Podcast online for more content! You can find Houston on Instagram and TikTok! (0:00) Intro! (1:15) Friday! (6:10) Saturday! (7:21)…

Sal is joined this week by Leah, aka FlyHinata, to talk all about the online marketplace she founded: Lumikha Cosplay Resale! Check out flyhinata and Lumikha Cosplay Resale on Instagram and visit Lumikha Cosplay Resale online! FlyHinata on YouTube See more of the Nakama Podcast on our website! (0:00) Introducing FlyHinata! (4:04) About Lumikha Cosp…

Sal and Peralta run a short show this week, jumping right into reviews of the delinquent fight club anime "Wind Breaker", and the awkward high school rom-com "A Condition Called Love." Check out the Nakama Podcast online! (0:00) Intro! (2:11) Anime chit-chat (2:54) Wind Breaker REVIEW (13:01) A Condition Called Love REVIEW (30:38) Outro!…

This week, Sal and Cruz are joined by cosplayer Cosmic.Peachz to discuss all things cosplay, the economics of centaur-hunting as a food source and its effect on racial and biological philosophy, as well as review "Tales of Wedding Rings" and "The Weakest Tamer Began a Journey to Pick Up Trash"! href="https://www.instagram.com/cosmic.peachz/?hl=en">…

After his first sip, Fabian Torres fell in love with craft beer. That love of drinking it soon became a hobby of brewing at home. The step after the hobby was starting his own brewery, which he did when he founded First Gen Brewing. He recently came back home to Salinas after spending some time in Kalamazoo, Michigan, gaining more knowledge about t…

Sal is all alone this week, but that won't stop him from delivering an episode covering two new fantasy anime: "Unwanted Undead Adventurer" and "7th Time Loop: The Villainess Enjoys a Carefree Life Married to Her Worst Enemy"! But first, some very very overdue Fanime announcements. Visit the Nakama Podcast online! (0:00) It's Just Sal (0:45) Sal di…

This week, we have for you an episode of the Sacred Society Podcast that our regular host, Sal, was on as a guest!By Salad Bytes Media

Recently, the Salinas community lost a big pillar with the passing of Sergio Alejo, the owner of Stonies Taphouse. We were fortunate enough not only to know him personally, but back in 2020, we were able to get him into the studio so he could tell his story in his own words. This episode originally came out on January 10, 2020.…

This week, hosts Sal and Peralta are joined by returning guest Ederlyn of LynLynSays to talk all about two villain-centric anime: the fantasy isekai "Villainess Level 99", and the comedy slice-of-life look at what the bad guy does on his spare time - "Mr. Villain's Day Off"! Visit the Nakama Podcast online for more anime content! (0:00) Introducing…

This week, Sal and Peralta review the hyper-violent isekai "My Instant Death Ability is So Overpowered No One in this Other World Stands a Chance Against Me!" and the cutesy rom-com "Hokkaido Girls are Super Adorable!", but first: Sal's got an interesting problem with his Instagram Reels algorithm. Visit the Nakama Podcast online! (0:00) Intro (22:…